Healthy Sweet Snacks for 50 Calories or Less to Buy or DIY

Dark chocolate has a few health benefits. (And milk chocolate does too!) So if you want a low-calorie candy that sneaks in a little dose of antioxidants, grab a square. Keep Ghirardelli’s Minis on hand in your kitchen or desk drawer so you can easily reach for one of these 30-calorie treats at snack time.

Buy It: Ghirardelli Minis Pouch Dark Chocolate ($12, Amazon)

A half cup of fresh blueberries is right around 40 calories, and the berries make a juicy, refreshing, and healthy sweet snack. Blueberries also have the benefit of being high in fiber (plus all the other beneficial nutrients), so you can always feel good about reaching for a cup. Frozen are just as nutritious as fresh, so feel free to pop 'em cold if you prefer.

Even though it’s marketed to little ones, we’re firm believers that this low-cal sweet snack isn’t just for kids! Each tube offers gut-health-friendly live active cultures, plus a bit of protein, calcium, and vitamin D. Another benefit of this quick and healthy sweet snack? You don’t have to remember to pack a spoon.

Buy It: Stonyfield Yogurt Tubes ($7, Target)

Yep, you can dig into a bowl of ice cream without spooning up a meal's-worth of calories and fat. Arctic Zero’s non-dairy ice cream flavors are pretty high in fiber for ice cream—4 grams per half cup—but still come solidly within our low-cal sweet snack nutrition range. Chocolate Peanut Butter, Salted Caramel, Cookie Shake, Purely Chocolate, Pistachio, Hint of Mint, and Cake Batter all come in at less than 50 calories per serving.

Buy It: Arctic Zero Hint of Mint ($36 for a 6-Pack of Pints, Amazon)

One easy way to mix up your low-calorie sweet snack routine is to stock up on a variety of apples. One small apple has about 50 calories, and this nosh is super easy to take on the go. (Thanks, Mother Nature, for the portable “packaging.” ) Plus, with so many different types of apples to choose from, you won’t get stuck in a snacking rut.

If you usually reach for a pack of crackers or something crunchy at snack time, try Quaker’s 50-calorie rice cakes when your stomach starts to rumble. You can find the low-calorie sweet snacks in a few different flavors, and they’re made with whole grains. Stock a package in your pantry for a fast-fix sweet-tooth-soother you can grab whenever hunger hits.

Buy It: Quaker Rice Cakes ($3, Target)

One of the main benefits of these low-calorie sweet snacks is that they’re made with real fruits and veggies. When you look at the ingredients list, you’ll mostly see organic fruit and veggie purees and juices. Both the mixed berry and apple varieties are 50 calories per bar and include some healthy potassium and vitamins A and C. And they’re a cinch to take with you on the go!

Buy It: Nature's Bandits Veggie Fruit Stix ($9, Amazon)

You might already reach for watermelon as a naturally sweet side dish in the summertime. If so, keep it up! One cup of watermelon has about 40 calories, and you can’t beat its juiciness and refreshing fruity flavor. Thanks to its high water content, watermelon is also a hydrating low-cal sweet snack.

Do you remember mini boxes of Sun-Maid raisins from your childhood? There’s a reason these sweet treats were such a popular lunch box addition. Each box of raisins is 45 calories, and you can buy them in packs of 12 so you’ll be fully stocked on easy grab-and-go snacks. Despite their small size, raisins have some helpful vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making them a good option for healthy sweet snacks under 50 calories.

Buy It: Sun-Maid Raisins Snacks ($3, Target)

Of course, when we think about sweet snacks, our minds always go to chocolate. Grab a couple of Hershey’s Kisses with almonds the next time you're in need of sweet and salty snacks, and they’ll kick your cravings as they melt in your mouth. Proof that low-calorie candy does exist and can be satisfying: Two of these nutty Kisses are just 46 calories.

Buy It: Hershey's Kisses with Almonds ($22 for 4.1 Pounds, Amazon)

Along with some sweetness, a kiwifruit will add a taste of the tropics to snack time. A medium fruit has about 42 calories, and it packs in some extra nutrients. Kiwis are higher in vitamin C than most other fruits. Slice one up for a low-cal sweet snack that offers potassium, too.

Mott’s unsweetened applesauce is another handy, already-portioned snack to keep in your pantry. Each cup is 50 calories, and it has no added sugar and 20 percent of your daily vitamin C. If you want to dress up your cup a little more for a healthy sweet snack, stir in a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Buy It: Mott's Unsweetened Applesauce ($2, Target)

Not all snacks are easy to take on the go, so if you’re looking for a low-calorie sweet snack to travel with, you might want to give SunRype’s Fruit Strips a try. Their Apple Strawberry flavor is 50 calories a bar, and it’s gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan diet-friendly too. While we adore fresh fruit, we appreciate the fact that these are easier to toss in your bag for the day than a container of more-delicate raspberries.

Buy It: SunRype Fruit Strips ($20, Amazon)

For a taste of summer goodness any day of the year, tear open a package of these freeze-dried fruit “chips.” We love the ingredient list for this low-calorie sweet snack: Peaches. The dehydration process simply removes the water and extends the shelf life of this all-ages fruit snack that has just 30 calories per pouch.

Buy It: Brothers Fruit Crisps ($27 for 24 bags, Amazon)

Can’t decide between sweet or savory? Go for both and enjoy them in a healthy-ish snack. Yes, it’s possible! Crunchy, salty, and richly chocolaty all at once, these poppable pretzels hit on many satisfaction levels per bite. Snack on three of these low-calorie sweets for 47 calories, plus a little protein and iron.

Buy It: Snyder's Pretzel Rounds ($3 Target)